Trial Begins For FW Officer Accused Of Slugging Patient, Lying About It

(Fort Worth, TX) — Opening arguments start today in the trial of a Fort Worth police officer accused of roughing up a man and then lying about it.

Jury selection started Monday to choose the panel that will decide whether Officer Jon Romer assaulted a man and falsely told investigators the Fort Worth Police Department had approved his use of force. Romer was working an off-duty job as a security guard at Harris Methodist Hospital three years ago when he punched and choked Henry Newson, a patient who had just been discharged.

The incident was caught on Romer’s body camera. A trespassing charge against Newson was dropped.